A benefit event is scheduled to raise money for the family of the Army recruiter who was dragged by an SUV for nearly a mile during a hit-and-run incident in Roseville last month.

Sgt. Travis Torgerson, a 42-year-old father of two from Circle Pines, suffered extensive injuries to his legs and remains hospitalized at Hennepin County Medical Center.

The fundraiser is open to the public and will take place from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Nov. 3 at Calvary Baptist Church, 2120 Lexington Ave. N. in Roseville, according to information provided by Roseville police.

On Sept. 18, Torgerson and Army Sgt. Michael Stroud were walking back from lunch to their recruiting office in the Crossroads of Roseville mall when they were struck by a Jeep.

Stroud was thrown over the vehicle and suffered minor injuries. Torgersen got his foot stuck in the axle and was dragged for nearly a mile.

The driver, 52-year-old Enrico Darius Taylor of Minneapolis, was charged with three counts of criminal vehicular operation.

He told police he didn’t see the men until it was “too late.” He heard screams and panicked because he was driving with a suspended license, the complaint said. So he kept driving, he told police. Taylor is also blind in one eye.

Torgerson finally managed to free himself on Prior Avenue near County Road B2.

His injuries required several skin grafts.

Stroud said Torgerson still needs another skin graft but will probably be out of the hospital in about a month. It will likely be six months to a year before he will be able to return to work. Among his injuries, Torgerson’s right leg was shattered. He now has pins, screws and rods holding it together, Stroud said.

“He is remarkably better, a lot more lively, more lucid, off the painkillers,” Stroud said. “He is able to get up and do more. He’s definitely making good progress but it’s still a long haul to recovery.

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